Material breaking device



Sept. 21, 1937. V- J. F. JoY

4 MTERIAL BREAKING DEVICE I Patented Sept. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MATERIAL BREAKING DEVICE of Massachusetts Application May 9, 1935, Serial No. 20,635

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a material-breaking device, and, more particularly, has reference to an improved device especially designed for use in coal mines for breaking down blocks of coal from the working face.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved material-breaking device. Another object is to provide an improved device for breaking down blocks of coal in coal mines, having embodied therein mechanical means whereby an extremely powerful breaking-down force may be applied to the coal blocks. A further object is to provide an improved material-breaking device operated by hydraulic pressure and having embodied therein a novel arrangement of the mechanical force-applying elements whereby an extremely powerful breaking-down effect is obtained. A still further object is to provide an improved material-breaking device of the hydraulicalLy operated wedge type and having embodied therein breaking-down elements insertible in a kerf cut in the coal face and operated by the wedge for breaking down the blocks of coal in an improved manner. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing,-

Fig. 1 is a view in longitudinal section of the illustrative embodiment of the improved materialbreaking device.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the device shown in Fig. l, showing the mounting means for the mechanical force-applying elements.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view 4--4 of Fig. 1.

In the illustrative construction, there is shown an improved material-breaking device of the hydraulically operated, wedge type, comprising a cylinder I having suitable handles 2 secured thereto and projecting laterally therefrom for supporting the device with respect to the work. The cylinder contains a reciprocatory force-applying piston 3. The outer end of the cylinder I is closed by a cap 4 threaded thereon; and connected to this cap is a pipe connection 5 leading to a four-way valve V to which is supplied hydraulic pressure through a suitable connection S, and from which hydraulic fluid may be vented through a further connection E. A connection 6 taken on line leads from the four-way valve V to the forward end of the cylinder I. The inner end of the cylinder I is closed by a head block 1 having a packed opening 3 through which the piston rod 9 of the pistoni extends. Threaded at III within 5 the head block 1 is a plug II for positioning the packing. The piston rod 9, herein shown as of tubular form, has secured thereto at its forward end, at I2, a wedge I3. The inclined plane faces of this wedge engage corresponding plane faces 10 formed on the inner sides of a pair of mechanical force-applying elements or levers I5, I4, pivotally mounted between their ends, at I5, on pins I6 carried by pairs of links I'I, I8 arranged on opposite sides of the cylinder I and pivotally mounted on l5 lateral trunnions IB, formed integral with the sides of the cylinder I to swing about a common axis. Formed on the rearward extremities of the elements Ill, I4 are inwardly projecting lugs 20 spaced to straddle the piston rod and with which shoulders 2l formed on the rear surface of the wedge are engageable, these shoulders engaging the lugs on the levers as the wedge moves inwardly to effect inwards swinging movement of the lever extremities to the collapsed position shown in Fig. 1.

The mode of operation is as follows. Let it be .assumed that the coal face has been cut up into blocks attached to the mine wall at their inner extremities, the blocks being formed by the cutting of narrow kerfs or slots in horizontal and vertical planes. When it is desired to break down a block of coal, the operator grasps the handles 2 of the -device and inserts the forward extremities of the mechanical force-applying levers within the kerf or slot above the block. When the device is so positioned, hydraulic pressure is applied through the pipe connection 5 to the rear end of the cylinder I, and the pressure acts in the cylinder upon the piston 3 to force the latter forwardly, and as a result the wedge I3 is moved inwardly to spread apart the levers, and the pivot pins I6 spread apart concurrently. A very powerful breaking force is accordingly transmitted to the upper portion of the coal block, and the coal is broken free. When the wedge I3 has moved inwardly a distance sufficient to effect the breaking down of the coal block, supply of hydraulic pressure to the pipe 5 is discontinued, and when the wedging apparatus is suspended vertically, .gravity will move the parts together about the pivot pins I9 and cause approach of the pins I6 to each other, though the free lower ends of levers I4 will swing apart about pins I6. Now, upon admission through the connection 6 to the forward end of 5 the cylinder, retraction of the piston 3 and Wedge I3 will cause the shoulders 2| to engage the lugs 20 and swing the lever members I4 into positions where they contact with the Wedge again, so that the wedge device will be ready for further use.

It will be observed that the device Whose illustrative form is described above is simple, practically proof against derangement, adapted to exert an extremely powerful force, and Well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be `modied and embodied in various other forms Without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to` secure by Letters Patent is:

A1. In a material-breaking device, a pair of pivoted force-applying levers, a cylinder on which said levers are pivotally supported, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, means' operated selectively in opposite directions by said` piston for forcing said levers apart and for contracting said levers, said means including a wedge arranged between and engaging said levers, said wedge engageable at its rear end with the rearward portions of said levers for contracting the latter, and means for supplying fluid pressure to said cylinder to effect piston movement.

2. In a material-breaking device, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means' operated selectively in opposite directions by said piston, and material-breaking elements expanded and contracted by said means, said means including a wedge for expanding said breaking elements, said wedge engageable at its rear end with the rearward portions of said elements for contracting the latter.

' 3. In a material-breaking device, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means operated selectively in opposite directions by said piston, and material-breaking elements mounted on said cylinder and expanded and contracted by said means, said means including a wedge for expanding said breaking elements, said wedge erigageable at its rear end with the rearward portions of said elements for contracting the latter.

4. In a material-breaking device, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a pair of pivoted force-applying levers, links pivotally connecting said levers to said cylinder, said links pivotally connected to said cylinder on a common axis lying in a. central longitudinal plane ofthe cylinder, and a wedge operated by said piston for forcing said levers apart.

5. In a material-breaking device, a, cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a, pair of pivoted force-applying levers, links pivotally connecting said levers to said cylinder, a wedge operated by said piston for forcing said levers apart, and lugs formed on said levers adjacent to the pivots of the latter and with which the rearward portion of said wedge is engageable for moving said 1evers into their collapsed position.

6. Ina material-breaking device, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a pair of force-applying levers pivotally mounted on said cylinder, a wedge operated by said piston for forcing said levers apart, and lugs formed on said levers adjacent to the pivots of the latter and with which the rearward portion of said wedgeis engageable for moving said levers into their collapsed positions.

7. In a, material-breaking device, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a pair of force-applying levers pivotally mounted on said cylinder, a Wedge operated by said piston and lmovable outwardly by the latter for forcing said levers apart, and cooperating means on the rearward portions of said wedge and levers for moving said levers into their collapsed position upon inward movement of said wedge.

8. In a material-breaking device, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a, pair of pivoted force-applying levers, links'pivotally connecting said levers to said cylinders, a wedge operated by said pistons for forcing said levers apart, and cooperating means formed on therearward portions of said levers and wedge for moving said levers into their collapsed position.

JOSEPH F. JOY. 

